placard

noun

1. A sheet of paper or cardboard with a written or printed announcement on one side for display in a public place.

   “Especially from Mr. Borthrop Trumbull, a distinguished bachelor and auctioneer of those parts, much concerned in the sale of land and cattle: a public character, indeed, whose name was seen on widely distributed placards, and who might reasonably be sorry for those who did not know of him.”

   “He brought out the placard, which was quite a work of art. It was nearly two feet long, printed on calendered paper, with a selection of colors so bright that they shone even in the moonlight.”

   “While her husband read the placards pasted on the brick announcing the hours at which certain ships would sail for Scotland, Mrs. Ambrose did her best to find information.”

   “Towards the end of August, the Southern Railway decided to adopt a novel form of publicity to popularise the services. Sandwich board men were employed at Charing Cross and Cannon Street to display placards, and distribute leaflet timetables, calling attention to the vacant seats on the services via Nunhead.”

2. (obsolete)A public proclamation; a manifesto or edict issued by authority.

   “All placards or edicts are published in his name.”

3. (obsolete)Permission given by authority; a license.

   “to give a placard to do something”

4. (historical)An extra plate on the lower part of the breastplate or backplate of armour.
5. (historical)A kind of stomacher, often adorned with jewels, worn in the fifteenth century and later.
6. The woodwork and frame of the door of a closet etc.

verb

1. To affix a placard to, or mark with a placard nearby.

   “The inner walls of the church were placarded with large mural tablets of copper, bearing engraved inscriptions celebrating the merits of old Heilbronn worthies of two or three centuries ago, […]”

   “The mail coaches were placarded PEACE WITH FRANCE in large capitals, and the drivers all wore a sprig of laurel, as an emblem of peace, in their hats.”

   “[…] we have railed off the part and placarded it "Dangerous" […]”

   “In the afternoon Sue and the other people bustling about Kennetbridge fair could hear singing inside the placarded hoarding farther down the street.”

2. To announce with placards.

   “to placard a sale”

   “These men, who have already caused you so much harm, whom you yourselves dispersed on the 31st of October, are placarding their intention to protect you against the Prussians, who have only made an appearance within our walls, […]”